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February 18, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy
World

Germany’s Next Chancellor Warns of European Financial Crisis.

Friedrich Merz, poised to become Germany’s next chancellor (prime minister), warns he is “very worried” the European Union (EU) is barreling toward another financial crisis, blaming excessive debt. “We can’t play fast and loose with public finances like some others do—and even those others are starting to alarm me,” said the nominally conservative politician of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) formerly led by Angela Merkel.

Six EU nations—France, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal—carry debt loads exceeding their annual economic output. “A financial crisis is coming, no question,” Merz told POLITICO. “It’ll hit as a sovereign debt crisis. We can’t pinpoint the when or the where, but it’s on its way.”

Germany is just five days from a general election. Merz’s party is expected to win first place comfortably, with the right-populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in second, ahead of the governing Social Democrats and their current and former coalition partners in the Green and Free Democratic parties. However, Merz is far more likely to seek a so-called “grand coalition” with leftist parties than a stronger center-right coalition with the AfD, which is largely shut out of positions of influence by establishment consensus.

Merz’s warnings on a European debt crisis come as the U.S. presses the EU to shoulder more of its defense costs. Germany faces a steep climb to meet its NATO spending obligation of 2 percent GDP defense spending post-2027. Berlin pumped €100 billion into a special fund to revamp its military after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but most of that cash is already spoken for—leaving a €30 billion annual gap.

“We need to sort out our priorities—first, how much room do we have to cut costs?” Merz mused, stressing, “Economic growth is the answer to everything. That’s my top focus before we dive into anything else.” Neither the Social Democrats nor the Greens agree, arguing Germany must instead loosen borrowing limits.

Migration splits the CDU and the left, too. Despite his party’s history of encouraging mass migration under Merkel, Merz promised to close Germany’s borders on day one. “We must slash the number of people flooding in, and fast,” Merz said, adding, “Other countries prove it’s doable, why not Germany?”—a possible reference to U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Image by Steffen Prößdorf.

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2 minutes ago
William Upton
Crime
Media

Another Washington Post Journalist Has Been Arrested for Child Porn.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thomas Pham LeGro, a Pulitzer Prize-winning video journalist with The Washington Post, has been arrested and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with possession of child pornography.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Thomas Pham LeGro, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the DOJ, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

📍WHEN & WHERE: LeGro was arrested on Thursday, June 26, and appeared in federal court on Friday, June 27, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: The FBI found on LeGro’s work laptop a folder with “11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material.”

🎯IMPACT: LeGro is just the latest Washington Post employee to be charged with possession of child pornography. Earlier this year, the newspaper’s anti-Trump cartoonist, Darrin Bell, was also arrested on child porn allegations.

IN FULL

A Pulitzer Prize-winning video journalist with The Washington Post has been arrested and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with possession of child pornography. Thomas Pham LeGro appeared on Friday in a U.S. District Court after the charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

The Washington Post journalist, who serves as the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper’s Deputy Director of Video, was taken into custody by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents on Thursday, June 26, following a raid on his residence. Inside LeGro’s home, the FBI found a work laptop which—upon examination—was discovered to contain a folder with “11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material.” Additionally, “agents observed what appeared to be fractured pieces of a hard drive in the hallway outside the room where LeGro’s work laptop was found.”

Notably, LeGro was part of a team of journalists at The Washington Post that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for their coverage of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama, which saw former state Supreme Court Justice and Republican candidate Roy Moore accused of sexually assaulting several women when they were underage. Moore denied the sexual assault allegations, though he acknowledged he may have dated teenagers when he was in his late twenties and early thirties.

This is not the first Washington Post journalist to face allegations of concerning behavior regarding legal minors. Disgraced former WaPo reporter Taylor Lorenz is also accused of inappropriately interacting with teenagers on social media, often featuring them in her stories. In January of this year, the newspaper’s anti-Trump cartoonist, Darrin Bell, was also arrested on child porn allegations. Investigators discovered 134 videos of child sex abuse material (CSAM) on an account Bell is linked to, along with AI-generated child pornography.

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By Popular Demand.
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23 minutes ago
Politics

NYC’s Mamdani Wants Higher Taxes for ‘Whiter Neighborhoods.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the far-left Democratic Party nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed shifting the city’s property tax burden to “whiter” neighborhoods.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), New York billionaire Bill Ackman, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Mamdani’s policy memo was released ahead of New York City’s general mayoral election in November.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.” – Zohran for New York City policy memo.

🎯IMPACT: Mamdani’s plans have drawn criticism from Republicans, moderates, and business leaders, with efforts underway to prevent his election.

IN FULL

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the Muslim extremist Democratic nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed a controversial plan to “[s]hift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.” His policy memo claims that the city’s current system favors homeowners in gentrifying areas, and he aims to raise taxes on properties more likely to be owned by affluent white people so he can lower them in lower-income neighborhoods. He is himself a Ugandan immigrant of Indian heritage, only becoming an American citizen in 2018.

Mamdani has also advocated for other radical measures, including city-owned grocery stores, defunding the police, and abolishing prisons. His proposals have sparked backlash from Republicans and moderates nationwide.

Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) has been particularly critical of Mamdani, even calling for him to be stripped of his American citizenship if it turns out he failed to disclose terrorist sympathies during his naturalization process. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles accused Mamdani of expressing support for individuals linked to Hamas, stating, “Zohran ‘little muhammad’ Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York.”

Billionaire Bill Ackman has pledged significant financial resources to prevent Mamdani’s election. “There are hundreds of millions of dollars of capital available to back a competitor to Mamdani that can be put together overnight,” said Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital.

Mamdani, who defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising Democratic primary upset, will now face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, in November’s general election.

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By Popular Demand.
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42 minutes ago
News
War

Defending Israel Has Depleted America’s Anti-Missile Arsenal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. deployed a significant portion of its advanced THAAD anti-missile system to Israel during its 12-day conflict with Iran, which included strikes on nuclear facilities and retaliatory Iranian missile strikes.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United States, Israel, Iran, and Iranian proxy groups such as Yemen’s Houthis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The conflict occurred in June 2025, primarily in Israel and Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day… we cannot afford to sit and play catch.” – Tom Karako, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. used an estimated 15-20 percent of its global THAAD stockpile, costing over $800 million, and raising concerns about future readiness and supply chain challenges.

IN FULL

During the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. deployed a significant portion of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to bolster Israel’s defenses. The conflict included strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory Iranian missile launches targeting Israeli cities.

The THAAD system, developed by Lockheed Martin, is critical for intercepting short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Unlike the Patriot system, it covers a larger area and comprises a launcher, interceptor, radar, and fire control unit. However, during the conflict, the THAAD system failed to intercept Houthi missiles on at least two occasions, with one missile striking near Tel Aviv‘s Ben Gurion International Airport.

Reports indicate that the U.S. used 15-20 percent of its global THAAD missile stockpile during the conflict, incurring costs exceeding $800 million. A single THAAD interceptor costs between $12 and $15 million. The deployment has raised concerns about the readiness of U.S. missile defense systems for future conflicts.

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), commented on the situation, saying, “Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day. The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch.”

As a result of the conflict, the U.S. will need to urgently restock its THAAD interceptors. This is not only vital for Israel but also for other regions where such systems may be required, including the Middle East, the Pacific, and Europe.

During the conflict, a similar report claimed that Israel had also begun to run low on ballistic missile interceptors. The report came shortly before both Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Jack Montgomery
Culture

Hegseth Removes Pedophile’s Name from U.S. Navy Ship.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Navy will rename the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk after World War II Medal of Honor recipient Oscar V. Peterson, removing the name of the controversial gay rights figure from the vessel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, and Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States Navy announcement, June 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are taking the politics out of ship naming.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: The decision reflects the Trump administration’s broader effort to eliminate DEI programs and remove political or activist figures from military honors, signaling a renewed emphasis on traditional military valor.

IN FULL

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Navy will rename the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk, a ship previously named for the Navy veteran, gay rights leader, and pedophile of the same name. The new name will honor Oscar V. Peterson, a chief petty officer posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Second World War.

“We are taking the politics out of ship naming,” Hegseth stated in a message posted on social media. While Harvey Milk is revered in Democrat circles as the first openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977 until his assassination in 1978, many conservatives object to his lionization as a supposed civil rights hero. This is due in large part to the unlawful sexual relationship he had with Jack Galen McKinley, an underage runaway boy, while he was in his thirties.

“We’re not renaming the ship to anything political; this is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration,” Hegseth stressed. “Instead, we’re renaming the ship after a United States Navy Congressional Medal of Honor recipient… People want to be proud of the ship they’re sailing in.”

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Lawfare
Politics

Rogue Judge Faces Impeachment After Blocking Trump’s National Guard Order.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Republican lawmaker has filed impeachment articles against a federal judge who temporarily blocked President Donald J. Trump’s control of the National Guard in California during pro-illegal immigrant riots in Los Angeles.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, President Donald J. Trump, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The resolution was filed on Friday, June 27, 2025, following riots in Los Angeles earlier this month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The goal is to get judges to do their jobs. If we’re not going to try to hold accountable the ones that aren’t, then they have no incentive to stop,” said Rep. Fine.

🎯IMPACT: The resolution highlights GOP frustration with repeated judicial interference in Trump’s executive actions.

IN FULL

Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) has filed a resolution to impeach U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer for temporarily blocking President Donald J. Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard during riots in Los Angeles. Fine criticized the judge’s decision as “political.”

The riots in Los Angeles were sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Hispanic and Latino neighborhoods, where activists clashed with law enforcement and burned cars in protest. Trump bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) to deploy the National Guard, citing inadequate action by state officials to protect federal law enforcement and restore order.

Judge Breyer’s temporary order earlier this month ruled that Trump’s actions exceeded his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment. “His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the court opinion stated. Breyer ordered control of the National Guard to be returned to California.

However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Breyer’s ruling last week, affirming that Trump was within his authority to federalize the National Guard. Breyer’s decision has drawn scrutiny from House Republicans, who have increasingly voiced frustration over judicial interference in Trump’s executive actions.

Fine acknowledged the long odds of removing Breyer but defended the impeachment resolution as a necessary step. “I think it’s worth doing. I don’t know that we can pass it, I don’t know that the Senate would remove him from office, but I think failing to avail ourselves of the remedies that the framers intended was a mistake,” he said.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Politics

Cuomo Poised to Split the Liberal Vote in NYC With Independent Mayoral Run.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly plans to run as an independent candidate in New York City’s mayoral race after losing the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Eric Adams.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Democratic primary results were announced Tuesday night in New York City; Cuomo has until Friday to decide whether to withdraw from the independent ballot.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is a need for a new generation of leadership,” Mamdani insists.

🎯IMPACT: Cuomo’s expected independent run could reshape the dynamics of the race, while Mamdani’s progressive platform has drawn both support and criticism.

IN FULL

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo has reportedly decided to run as an independent candidate for New York City’s mayoral race. This announcement comes days after he lost the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani, an avowed socialist and Islamic extremist originally from Uganda.

Cuomo, 67, conceded the primary to Mamdani but appears unwilling to withdraw from the race altogether, potentially splitting the liberal vote. Incumbent Eric Adams, elected as a Democrat but running for reelection as an independent, could split this vote even further.

Former Governor Cuomo is expected to run on a “Fight and Deliver” ballot line. Mamdani’s campaign leans on younger voters, focusing on left-progressive economic policies such as rent freeze and tax hikes on the wealthy, rather than his more contentious beliefs in defunding the police and “decarcerating” prisoners. “There is a need for a new generation of leadership,” he insists.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Immigration

DHS Is Paving the Way for the Deportation of 500,000 Haitians.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Haitian nationals currently under TPS.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Friday, takes effect September 2.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary.” – DHS spokesman

🎯IMPACT: More than 500,000 Haitians with TPS are affected and encouraged to use DHS resources to return to Haiti.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, which will take effect on September 2. A notice from DHS stated that Secretary Kristi Noem had determined the situation in Haiti no longer justified the continuation of TPS for migrants from the country. The decision was based on an assessment that environmental conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently for safe return.

“This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary,” a DHS spokesman said, adding: “The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home. We encourage these individuals to take advantage of the Department’s resources in returning to Haiti, which can be arranged through the CBP Home app. Haitian nationals may pursue lawful status through other immigration benefit requests, if eligible.”

Currently, more than 500,000 Haitians hold TPS. Consequently, Sec. Noem’s decision clears the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to begin deportations after the September deadline. In the meantime, DHS is encouraging Haitians impacted by the TPS determination to utilize existing resources for their return to Haiti.

Haitians granted TPS by the former Biden government became a point of political contention during the 2024 election. Large numbers of Haitian nationals were settled in small towns across the United States, resulting in cultural clashes, increased crime, and consternation among American citizens.

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3 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

Illegals Warned: Self-Deport or Face $1,000-a-Day Fines.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is reviving and expanding fines for illegal immigrants of up to $1,000 per day.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, rule to be published June 28, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for law and order… Financial penalties like these are just one more reason why illegal aliens should use CBP Home to self-deport now before it’s too late.” – Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: The policy signals a renewed crackdown on illegal immigrants, enabling DHS to fine violators immediately, potentially altering migrant behavior and undermining activist-led opposition to deportation enforcement.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is seeking to expedite fines for illegal immigrants—up to $1,000 per day—under a new rule seen by ABC News and set to be published in the Federal Register. The proposed regulation eliminates the current 30-day notice requirement, permitting immediate financial penalties against violators.

Jointly proposed by the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS), the rule covers migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, defy final orders of removal, or fail to leave voluntarily after a judge’s directive. The fines range from $100 to $500 for illegal entry, up to $10,000 for ignoring a deportation order, and $1,000 per day for failing to comply with removal.

“DHS believes that the nature of the failure-to-depart and unlawful entry penalties supports the need for more streamlined procedures,” the rule reads. Trump first introduced the policy during his first term, but the Biden government paused it. Trump reinstated it after taking office in January.

“The law doesn’t enforce itself; there must be consequences for breaking it,” explained Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for law and order and making our government more effective and efficient at enforcing the American people’s immigration laws. Financial penalties like these are just one more reason why illegal aliens should use CBP Home to self-deport now before it’s too late.”

According to DHS, migrants who use the Customs and Border Protection’s CBP Home app to leave the country voluntarily will have their fines waived. As of June 13, the department has issued 10,000 fine notifications under the reactivated policy.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News
War

Trump Saved Iranian Supreme Leader From ‘Ugly and Ignominious Death.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for claiming victory in the conflict with Israel, calling the statement false and abandoning plans to lift sanctions on Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the governments of Iran, Israel, and the United States.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made this week, with Trump posting on Truth Social and Khamenei speaking publicly and on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Trump ceased negotiations on sanction relief for Iran, citing the Supreme Leader’s hostile rhetoric and false claims.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has denounced Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei‘s claim that Iran had emerged victorious in its recent conflict with Israel. Trump described Khamenei’s statement as a “lie” and outlined the significant damage sustained by Iran during the conflict.

“Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader,’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. He further detailed the destruction of three Iranian nuclear sites by the U.S. and his decision to spare Khamenei’s life despite his location being known.

“I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life. I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'” he wrote.

Trump also revealed that he “demanded that Israel bring back a very large group of planes, which were heading directly to Tehran, looking for a big day” in the final hours of the war. “Tremendous damage would have ensued, and many Iranians would have been killed,” he stressed.

The America First leader noted that he had been considering lifting sanctions on Iran to aid in its recovery, but abandoned these plans following Khamenei’s remarks. “Iran has to get back into the World Order flow, or things will only get worse for them,” Trump warned.

Khamenei claimed that the Islamic Republic delivered a “hand slap to America’s face” and dismissed the bombing of its nuclear sites as “showmanship.” He also claimed that Israel had been “practically knocked out and crushed” by Iran during the conflict.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

The Senate GOP Has Canceled Friday’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Vote.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has cancelled a Friday vote on President Donald J. Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ after a number of key provisions were determined to violate the Byrd Rule by the Democrat-appointed Parliamentarian. Senate Republicans are now aiming for a vote over the weekend after more changes to the legislation are made.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senate Republicans, Majority Leader John Thune, President Trump, and the Senate Parliamentarian.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The reconciliation legislation was originally slated to move to the Senate floor on Friday, June 27, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The delay could jeopardize President Trump’s July 4 deadline to sign the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law. If the Senate is unable to make changes to comply with the Parliamentarian’s rulings, key provisions could be stripped from the legislation.

IN FULL

Senate Republicans are delaying a final vote on the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill‘ until this weekend as lawmakers scramble to make changes to the legislation in order to conform to rulings issued by the Senate Parliamentarian on Byrd Rule compliance. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had aimed for a Friday vote on the bill.

The rush to revise provisions in the reconciliation bill to conform to the Byrd Rule likely means the Senate will not be able to move a final version of the legislation to the floor until at least Saturday afternoon, barring any further rulings from the Parliamentarian. The National Pulse reported on Thursday that Thune had ruled out several maneuvers to overrule the Parliamentarian, as well as the possibility of firing her outright.

Notably, despite pulling the Friday vote, Thune is allowing a roll call vote this evening on a War Powers Resolution aimed at constraining President Trump’s ability to take any further military action against Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The lack of urgency shown by Senate Republican leaders has rankled pro-Trump lawmakers in both legislative chambers. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) slammed Thune in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, writing, “The UN-ELECTED Parliamentarian is no different than the radical far left judges and Jerome Powell!!!! Thune needs to over rule her or FIRE HER!!!”

Meanwhile, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) was even more blunt in a media interview, stating: “We need to start voting… and the jackassery has to stop.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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